Monday, May 27, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 27

Day 27: A letter to your readers.

I've slipt a bit on the whole blog a day thing. I'm not even upset about it.

Paul FINALLY had a Saturday off. He's worked something like the last 6 or 7 Saturdays. So we finally had a weekend free to enjoy. Saturday we 'slept in' until 8, and went for a brisk 5k jog followed by a stair workout. After our jog I putsed around the house for entirely too long. We eventually made it out of the house. We had a few errands to run. But we still made time for a coffee date.
Here's the styrofoam head we picked up for crafting!

Sunday is our farmers market day. We hit the markets in the am with Mum and Mick. We had some yummy coffee, and picked up our fruit/veg. Then we had the arvo to do whatever our hearts desired. Sundays have turned into our bike ride days. The weather was to die for on Sunday, so we took advantage. We biked past the river, and over to East Fremantle for a bite and a cocktail.

Paul brought home flowers on Friday. He flew to Melbourne over night on Thursday.

Under the bridge. There were a few people fishing down here. 
Paul knows someone who did some crabbing here. He managed to catch some successfully.


Awkward photo by the Swan River.

We walked up a couple flights of stairs to a park that overlooks the river.

Notice the Australia flag in the back.


Paul wanted a photo of the crains and the river. Because it's very Freo.


Some of the river from above.



More of the river from the ground.

After the river we looked for somewhere to grab a bite.

I had a delicious rum/pineapple/coconut cocktail and Paul had a beer.
He also ordered chilli covered nuts. They were less on the hot side, and more on the sweet side.

We biked around for so long that I was actually really happy to come home. My legs were sore as junk!


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 25

Day 25: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)

you.are.beautiful.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 24

Day 24: Your top 3 worst traits.

1. I'm overly emotional.
I cry at the drop of a hat. Always have. Always will.

2. I get crabby entirely too easy.
My poor boyfriend and brother both know this all too well.

3. I'm a procrastinator.
Due dates are hard for me to keep. Oops! My Dad hates this!


Speaking of procrastinating. Here's a photo of my finished red, white, and blue flower crown!
Took me a while to take a picture wearing it. Good hair days are few and far between!




Blog a day in May: Day 23

Day 23: Things you've learned that school won't teach you.

Don't eat the yellow snow.

Don't play leap frog with a unicorn.

Haters gunna hate.

You can't change people.

A smile goes further than you will ever realize.

A warm cup of tea can solve the days misgivings.

Everyone's problems are worse than your own.

Your parents are wiser than you give them credit for.

The Simpsons have created a lot of the world we live in.

Guns are dumb.

You WILL gain weight after you turn 21, and you won't realize it until it's too late.

After age 25 every body part starts to ache.

True friends are a rare treasure.

Heartbreak is inevitable.

Money means nothing.

If you want a tattoo, get a tattoo. Quit worrying about what people will think.
You're going to turn eighty with or with out a tattoo. You may as well turn 80 w/o regrets.

Most of life's lessons can be learned in a Dr. Seuss book or Disney movie.









Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 22

Day 22: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband, or roommate, or neighbour, or boss does that really ticks you off)

I hate pompous people. It's as simple as that. They absolutely, positively, well and truly annoy me to no end. They make the worst small talk. They wear the silliest clothes. They drink and eat things for appearance sake. And they judge the things they don't understand.




Blog a day in May: Day 21

Day 21: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives.

I don't know how to choose my favorite previous posts!
It feels a bit narcissistic. But with that said, read all about me!

Here's my first post ever! This was after living in Oz for about 6 weeks. USA!

Our second trip back home. I was so ready to see my family/friends. Turkey day + Sydney

My first Christmas down under! Happy Holidays!

Australia Day weekend....because I saw....kangaroos!


Monday, May 20, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 20

Day 20: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

Hmmm...Probably the thing I'm struggling with most at the moment would be the Visa application process. There are about a million and one steps in this process. We're required to provide proof of proof of proof about who we are, what we are, and where we've been. We also have to ask people (friends/family) to provide declaration(s) on our behalf, proof of who they are, and their Australian citizenship all signed by a justice of the peace. It's all a bit confusing and scary. We only have one shot to fill out this application. If said application is denied we are not allowed to reapply ever. We also lose out on the fee provided for said application.

All of this stresses me out. Obviously it's more than worth it. There's absolutely no doubt about that. But I'm just "getting real". At this moment the Visa application is what I am struggling with.

I can't complain too much though. At this very moment I'm gazing at the Indian Ocean. I just got back from a trip to the mail box & the weather is to die for. If this is winter, keep it coming!


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 19

Day 19: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them.

1. Amber's blog. Amber and I used to work together. She's been blogging for much longer than myself.   I enjoy looking to Amber's blog for healthy, but yummy recipes. She's an inspiration. Amber lost 80lbs (if I'm not mistaken). All thanks to healthy eating & exercise. She's now got a new sense of confidence in herself & she works it!
http://pinupatheart.wordpress.com/

2. Sarah's blog. Sarah and I went to the same high school. We didn't chat in high school. But I started following her blog recently. One day I couldn't help but creep back to the beginning. She blogs about her infertility issues, newlywed status, and love for shopping. She's very open and honest with everything she says. She's now pregnant and nearly ready to pop. I'm looking forward to the baby pictures to come!
midwestpillowtalk.blogspot.com

3. Alison's blog. I don't read this blog religiously. But it's really entertaining & helpful. I don't know her personally. But I love the blog for fun ideas. She posts all kinds of free printables, sewing patterns, decorating inspiration and the like.

4. I like following this blog for fun ways to reinvent clothes. She refashions thrift store finds for a MAJOR fraction of designer prices. I also don't know her. I'm afraid to say I don't even know her name...Eek! But this blog gives amazing examples of recycled fashion.
http://refashionista.net/

5. I don't follow anymore blogs! So my blog it is! Yeeee!

We had another coffee date this past Saturday. Paul had to work in the morning. After we grabbed a bite to eat and wandered around Freo for a bit before heading to a bbq for Si Si's 2nd birthday. We got in some very successful people watching and window shopping.






Saturday, May 18, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 18

Day 18: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

I don't have all that many memories from childhood, vivid ones anyway.
But one in particular does come to mind. When we were little our local park was Palace Park in St. Paul. Palace was just a couple blocks from home. We went there very often for free entertainment. My brother has always been full of one liners. One time while at the park he said something we'll never forget. I can remember my Mom sitting on or near the bench on the sidewalk as well as my brother standing near her. There were a ton of nats flying around that day. Josh was still pretty young, probably only about five or so. So he was still learning what words truly meant. He looked at my Mom and said "Mom! An astronaut flew up my nose!"

We all started laughing uncontrollably; to the point that we couldn't stop. Once my sister Molly starts really laughing she keeps laughing, she literally can't stop. All you have to do is laugh yourself. The girl can seriously laugh for five minutes straight. Her eyes well up with tears, and she can't speak. That's exactly what happened that day. Josh mistakenly called a nat an astronaut. The nat flew up his nose. But to him it was an astronaut. Which made it all the more funny. Picturing an actual mini astronaut flying up a nose. From the mouths of babes. To this day I still laugh when I think about it.

I mean look at the kid! Always making me laugh!

Crap photo of a photo. But look at that get up he's rockin'! Including the shades!








Friday, May 17, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 17

Day 17: A favorite photo of yourself and why.



This is one of my favorite photos from way back.
That's my Daddy and me. I think I was about 3 or 4.

We were bff's and it shows in this picture, that's why I love it.
My Dad had that chair for about a million years. 
There's also a blanket on the back of the chair from my Great Grandma.
Not to mention Dad's old school glasses! Look at those frames!


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 16

Day 16: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it.

I found this one relatively difficult. I don't find much about my life very difficult. I suppose my one obstacle is being so far from home. I talk about it all too often. I had to go and fall in love with an Australian. Then move 10,000 miles away from my loved ones. This is the first time in my life I've ever been away from my family. I didn't go to a college out of town. I stayed at home a little too long. Up until I moved across the world I was still living with family. My little bro and I rented a place together for two years.

I blog//skype//email//text//call//write//bake//craft//cry only sometimes to overcome the homesickness.

Yesterday we got out for a little bike ride.



Here's Paul...being Paul.





We took a bike trip to the shops for some silk flowers and a headband.
I wanted to make another flower crown! Crafting is addicting!

 First crown was just for fun & that it was!


Second crown is for when we go home. I'll be rocking the red, white & blue at the Twins game.
I'll post a picture of me wearing the second crown after I've applied some makeup.

As for me right now...I'm going to make some brownies.
I'm having a wicked chocolate craving that just won't go away.

43 days until we touch down in the Northstar State!





Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 15

Day 15: A day in the life 
(include photos from though out your typical day-this could be a "photo an hour" if you'd like.)

My typical day: I do whateva I waaannnttt.....

I wake around 6:30-7am. Then I drink two glasses of water to replenish whats lost while sleeping.

I check my fb, ig, and email. I blog/respond to emails or Skype with family who are 13 hours behind.
Today I called my Daddy. We talk just about every two weeks. My Dad and Sister, Molly have arranged a Twins game for us while we're home. I'm so excited to show Paul Target Field. On top of that we're playing the Yankees, and there will be fireworks. Should be an amazing game!



I've been watching the Sopranos, it's wicked. I just finished season 4, and started season 5 yesterday.



For brekkie I have oatmeal and black tea.


At about 10am I have my smoothie and crumpets or toast. 
Smoothies Contents:
1 cup frozen berries//half banana//half apple//slice of cucumber//10 or so spinach leaves//1tsp coconut oil//2-3 tsp protein powder//tbsp flax seeds//1/4 cup soy milk//1/4 cup cranberry juice.

For me smoothies are the best way to get my nutrients.
Cutting meat out of my diet has left me looking for alternate ways to get my daily diet requirements.



Generally between the hours of 12pm and 1pm I watch TMZ and Ellen. I blame my dad for the TMZ.
He loves it and I do too, it's just too hilarious. Ellen is inspirational, she's married to an Aussie, and very philanthropic. So those shows are a win win for me.


I've been knitting nearly every day. I've just gotten several more knitting needles, so I'm able to make more things. I'm going to make a new camera sleeve and phone sleeve. The first one I made is a bit too loose. I've also made myself a passport cover, and two more hair bows.


During the day generally I'll do a light workout. Paul and I also go for jogs 3-4 days a week. If we skip a day jogging we'll walk into Freo for a coffee date/errands. This was from Tuesday. We made a trip to the Grumpy Sailor for an iced coffee and a tall mac. Then we popped over to the Post Office to collect some U.S. dollars, and passport photos for my visa application. Eek!









Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Blog a day in May: Day 14

Day 14: Ten things that make you really happy.


1. My sweet monkey bird, Paul. He tells me I'm beautiful when I look like a hobo. He takes care of me when I'm sick. He accepts all of my eccentricities. He makes me a better person.

2. Mi Familia. Miles away, but never apart. Making my sister laugh uncontrollably. Hearing my Dad say "hey good lookin'". Getting a bear hug from my Mom. My brother making me laugh. Watching my nephew grow. Putting on makeup so I'm presentable for my Aunt Jenny.
I miss them all entirely too much. But Skype and email helps.

3. Friends that have become family; both in America and Australia. We have such wonderful friends. I feel so lucky to know so many thoughtful, caring, wacky people.

4. Beach bumming. Whether it be by the ocean or by a Minnesota lake. I'm a fan of being still, lying like vegetables. I love hearing water moving, people chatting, and feeling sun warming my skin.

5. Christmas. Everything about this holiday. The movie Elf. The decorations. Giving gifts. Snow (at home). The cards. The mass amounts of yummy food. The cheer it creates in my whole being.

6. All things pretty/cute; including but not limited to all things pink.

7. Crafting. Taking something average and turning it into something beautiful.

8. Chocolate Ice cream. Ya Dig?

9. Baking. I'm furthest from the best baker.
However, I really enjoy making treats in all shapes and sizes.

10. The xx. If you've read this blog you know I'm a huge fan. If you haven't give it a read.
 Every time I hear any of their songs my mood instantly changes to happy.

11. AAAAANNNNNDDDD.......Minnesota passing the Freedom to Marry Bill.
I know that's 11, and I don't care!